Snikket is a simple, secure and private messaging app (based on XMPP)

alexbrave, 15 days ago

I installed it with a caddy proxy, works like a charm. I’ve used the Converse.js web client, Modal on iOS and Conversations for Android. The installation was quick and easy, file and photo sharing works, audio and video calls.

Really the hardest part is getting friends to use it.

lambalicious, 15 days ago

While I like it conceptually, the two times I tried to install it I felt it was far too opinionated for me to get it to work correctly, like other software “bundles” of its kind that want to take control of the entire process of setting up ports, networking, storage, certificates etc…, instead of just hanging down from stuff that I have already prepared for it (like my own domain with my own cert).

Like, as a piece of software it’s something I’d absolutely use… if someone else sets everything up for me.

lautan, 15 days ago

I thought you could install as a docker container?

lambalicious, 14 days ago

You can, but honestly no idea how to handle stuff like the certs from that point on. Most other software on docker lets me eg.: just bind-mount the host’s directory with the certs I want to use - or just not even know about SSL in the first place and just let me reverse-proxy the access in (like, say, a simple static page web server).

But, like I said, the last times I tried to get into it, it tried its darnest to get in my way. If that’s changed since then, that’d be great.

lautan, 14 days ago

There is a docker container setup with automatic lets encrypt and proxy. Can search around for it.

lambalicious, 14 days ago

Hmmm maybe that’s the one that tries to do everything on its own instead of using the stuff I’ve already set up. Had similar issues with eg.: Nextcloud.

I’ve been looking for an alternative “the actual XMPP service only, nothing else that can be sourced by the host” container setup but there doesn’t seem to be any.

Wolfwood1, 17 days ago

I’ve tried to install it on my VPS behind Traefik but couldn’t get it working. ¯_(ツ)_/¯

poVoq, 16 days ago

XMPP doesn’t use HTTP for the most part, so Traefik isn’t going to work. Just open the right ports in your firewall.

Wolfwood1, 16 days ago

I know, bit Snikket still uses ports 80/443 for its web interface and group file sharing service. It even has a page for Reverse Proxy configuration, but it doesn’t include Traefik and the configuration is non-trivial

lemmyreader, 18 days ago

Tested Snikket self-hosting in the past. If I recall correctly one advantage was that it has the option for admins to create invite links for on-boarding new users which seems useful to me for “normies”.

kurcatovium, 18 days ago

I wonder how does this differ from plain XMPP? There are tons of XMPP clients for every imaginable device, includong browser ones.

lautan, 18 days ago

This is one-click install, easier for beginners / non-tech people.

kurcatovium, 18 days ago

Yeah, I get that. But since it’s (basically) XMPP, can’t it be used with such as Converse.js?

poVoq, 18 days ago

It has a very opinionated default configuration and many of the relevant settings are hard-coded in the containers and thus are not easy to change permanently.

It’s probably possible to get working with ConverseJS, but I think it is better to wait for an officially supported web-client to be added to Snikket or alternatively configure your own XMPP server without the ready made Snikket containers.

EngineerGaming, 18 days ago

What settings presented most trouble to you, just curious?

poVoq, 18 days ago

Its not specific settings but the overall setup that is not intended to be modified.